I realize that this topic has come up before but I need a new perspective. I am making a lot of residential cold calls. However, I have a hard time actually getting someone to answer the phone. My original attitude is that I just have to actually talk to someone. Now I am wondering if leaving a message at least allows me to accomplish something? The reality is that no one ever calls back. What do you think - still leave messages or just put forget messages and put my head down and speak to people no matter how long it takes?

The reality - in cold calling for anything is.... people hate tele-marketers and will do anything to not be sold or agree to what they want. And forget calls back.

That makes it difficult right out of the gate.

What message are you leaving on their answering machine?

If you can offer them somthing free that is of value to them you are much more likely to get a response.

Consider this voicemail: Hi it's "State Your Name" from "State Your Firm" and we're doing some marketing in "This Area" We're giving away "Some Cool Thing" and wanted to arrange getting it to you. Please call me "State Your Name" back at xxx-xxx-xxxx and we'll confirm the details (e.g. confirm if they qualify.) Thanks and Talk To You Soon.

You'll get way more calls back with this kind of approach.

A lot of marketers tend to think that the "Some Cool Thing" needs to be a monetary item like a gift card or something but you can actually use things that have value but don't cost money like a report or free video that you can email to them. It has to be compelling though - people don't want a generic free report.

I leave a message only if I can reference the name of a person (other than myself).

Example:

Hi John this is Steve with Merrill Lynch. I was trying to reach you regarding Bob Sanders. Please give me a call at 555-1234. Thank you

The Call back:

Hi John, thanks for calling me back. Yes I did call about Bob. Bob was the designated Merrill rep for your territory but he has since moved on to another firm and I wanted to call and introduce myself.

Professionals (dr's, lawyers, accountants) will often call you back when you reference a name because they think it may be one of their clients that you are calling about. It's a good way to get an "at bat" opportunity. What you do with it from there is up to you...